The Supreme Court on Monday expressed deep concern over the persistence of dowry deaths in society, emphasizing that courts must undertake a rigorous examination of bail decisions in such cases.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta underscored the need for heightened judicial scrutiny, stating that offences related to dowry deaths strike at the core of social justice and gender equality.
“It is unfortunate that in today’s society, dowry deaths remain a grave social concern. Courts are duty-bound to deeply scrutinize the circumstances under which bail is granted in these cases,” the bench observed.
The apex court, therefore, set aside the bail granted by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court to the parents-in-law of a woman who was found dead at her matrimonial home in January 2024, within two years of marriage. According to the FIR, the woman had been subjected to continuous harassment and cruelty for dowry by her in-laws.
The Supreme Court stressed that cases involving the suspicious death of young brides in their matrimonial homes must be approached with heightened judicial vigilance, particularly when there is evidence of persistent harassment over unmet dowry demands.
“Allowing alleged prime perpetrators of such heinous acts to remain on bail, when evidence indicates their active involvement in physical and mental torment, could undermine not only the fairness of the trial but also public confidence in the criminal justice system,” the bench stated.
The court highlighted that Section 304B of the IPC (dowry death) prescribes a stringent standard, given the systemic harm and severity of the offence. It emphasized that judicial decisions in such cases send a strong social message and must reflect the judiciary’s commitment to tackling the menace of dowry deaths.
The bench criticized the “seemingly mechanical approach” taken by the high court in granting bail but upheld the bail granted to the woman’s two sisters-in-law, citing their lesser involvement in the case.
Finally, the Supreme Court directed the accused parents-in-law to surrender before the trial court or the relevant authority, reinforcing its stance on ensuring justice in cases of dowry-related violence.
